- Joined
- Jul 20, 2012
- Messages
- 43
- Reaction score
- 0
is it ok to use an optical usb mouse on carpet or not, my optical mouse doesn't really like my clipboard I currently am using... my touchpad has issues with clicking...
SOLVED optical mouse on carpet, is it ok to do???
- Thread starter moltres_rider
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2009
- Messages
- 5,063
- Reaction score
- 1,185
If the mouse will actually track while moving across the carpet, there is no other reason why you couldn't do so.
- Joined
- May 10, 2010
- Messages
- 9,353
- Reaction score
- 1,587
Depending on the texture of the carpet, if it has hills and valleys you may have a lot of trouble with accuracy. And if there are openings or rough edges they may catch on the fibers making motion difficult. And of course you will need to periodically clean the holes etc of hair/fibers. So you aren't likely to hurt the mouse but you may find a mousepad more convenient.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2010
- Messages
- 1,094
- Reaction score
- 277
It depends on the laser (quality and wavelength) whether it will work or not. Not all can. "Blue" lasers tend to be marketed as "track anywhere" devices but I note they are not all equal. My Logitech Nano blue laser I use with my notebook tracks very well on carpet, the arm of my chair or even my jeans. But it does not like shiny table or desk tops. My MS 5000 blue laser tracks great on any desktop, but not so well on other things.
The best case scenario is simply keeping the laser access port (hole) clean - and a handy can of compressed dusting gas works great for that.
However, red flags went up when I read your post. You said "touchpad" so that suggests you are using a notebook. My first concern is heat - I hope you are NOT setting your notebook directly on the carpet (or your lap, or bed, etc.). Notebooks need clearance underneath for cooling. So notebooks should always be operated on a hard, flat, smooth surface, like a Notebook Cooling Pad w/ext. power supply.
Also, carpets are notorious for generating HUGE potentials of static electricity in our bodies. Shuffle across the carpet and touch the dog's nose can cause your arm to recoil and the dog go running. Unfortunately, static potentials can be so tiny their discharges are below the threshold of human awareness yet be plenty high to destroy ESD (electro-static discharge) sensitive devices - like memory modules, CPUs, GPUs - essentially any IC.
So my advice, sit on a wooden chair at a wooden table.
The best case scenario is simply keeping the laser access port (hole) clean - and a handy can of compressed dusting gas works great for that.
However, red flags went up when I read your post. You said "touchpad" so that suggests you are using a notebook. My first concern is heat - I hope you are NOT setting your notebook directly on the carpet (or your lap, or bed, etc.). Notebooks need clearance underneath for cooling. So notebooks should always be operated on a hard, flat, smooth surface, like a Notebook Cooling Pad w/ext. power supply.
Also, carpets are notorious for generating HUGE potentials of static electricity in our bodies. Shuffle across the carpet and touch the dog's nose can cause your arm to recoil and the dog go running. Unfortunately, static potentials can be so tiny their discharges are below the threshold of human awareness yet be plenty high to destroy ESD (electro-static discharge) sensitive devices - like memory modules, CPUs, GPUs - essentially any IC.
So my advice, sit on a wooden chair at a wooden table.
